Welcome to Bob Filner for Mayor 2012

The San Diego we all love is at a crossroads. Which way will we go? We have a number of choices - but what I know for sure is that we can’t go back. We must move forward. How do we do that?

Moving forward means doing things and tackling problems that may be difficult. It means making tough decisions, having adult conversations, sharing responsibility, and doing what’s right for our citizens, not what is popular with the politicians.

Moving forward also means making a clean sweep of the so-called leadership at City Hall. Those who have driven this city into the ground need to step aside and go away. The problems we face weren’t created overnight; in fact, numerous City Councils have shared in our deterioration. City politicians for years have sought the easy way out. Hungry for campaign contributions, they passed out favors or turned their heads. The problems increased. City Hall insiders and downtown power brokers sold the well-being of our city in exchange for special deals and political favors.

All this must stop - NOW! No more deals, no more special favors, no more double talk and political speak. It’s time to level with the voters, tell them the truth and get to the job of fixing the problems and restoring our city.

It starts with wiping the slate clean, sweeping out city hall and starting anew. Let me be clear: this isn’t an attack on our city workforce, our police and firemen or the dedicated men and women who clean our parks and beaches or repair our infrastructure. It’s an indictment on our leaders who have mortgaged our future.

I’ve been fighting for the people of San Diego for over 30 years. On the School Board, the City Council, and in Congress, my work has been fighting for the hardworking men and women of our city. My career has always been defined by my willingness to stand up to the special interests and downtown power brokers and do what’s right for all the people of San Diego. Not just the powerful and privileged.

That’s what I will continue to bring as a candidate for Mayor: an outsider’s view and approach combined with an insider’s understanding of the problems and the solutions.

Again, let me be clear: this is not an announcement of some "exploratory" committee. We start an aggressive campaign for Mayor of America’s Finest City - today!